After World Cup Loss, Drake Returns to Stake to Give Out Money
Rapper Drake is set to return to livestreaming platform Kick for another high-profile broadcast alongside his gambling promotional partner, Stake, weeks after publicly losing a reported $1.5 million wager on Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, with the upcoming stream expected to feature casino gameplay, fan interaction, and a $1 million giveaway.
The announcement follows a costly stretch for the Toronto rapper on the betting front. According to multiple reports, Drake lost his reported $1.5 million bet after backing Argentina to beat Spain in regulation time during the World Cup Final on July 18, a wager that would have paid out more than $5.1 million had it landed. Argentina was held scoreless through the match despite being reduced to ten players following a red card, and the loss reignited social media’s long-running “Drake curse” meme, a running joke referencing a pattern of high-profile losses by teams and athletes the rapper has publicly backed or been photographed with. The World Cup loss reportedly came just days after Drake lost a separate $1 million bet on UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who suffered an injury and lost by TKO in his comeback bout against Max Holloway.
Despite the recent losses, Drake’s upcoming Kick broadcast is expected to mirror his high-profile Christmas 2025 livestream alongside fellow streamer Adin Ross, which featured hours of casino gameplay, extended fan conversations, and a series of giveaways rewarding viewers throughout the event, including cash prizes and other rewards distributed to fans who shared their stories during the broadcast.
Drake became a global ambassador for Stake in 2022, in what was regarded as one of the online gambling industry’s highest-profile celebrity endorsement deals at the time. While Stake has never publicly disclosed the exact terms of the agreement, multiple reports have estimated its value at approximately $100 million annually, though neither party has officially confirmed that figure. The partnership has included exclusive livestreams, major betting promotions, giveaways, and social media campaigns showcasing Drake’s high-stakes wagers across sports and casino games, significantly boosting the platform’s global visibility.
The renewed promotional push comes as Drake’s relationship with Stake faces mounting legal scrutiny. A class-action lawsuit filed earlier this year alleges that Stake, along with celebrity promoters including Drake and Adin Ross, marketed what plaintiffs describe as an illegal gambling platform that exposed users to substantial risks of gambling addiction, with court filings characterising the platform’s promotional environment as predatory. Separate court filings have also alleged that some of the large sums wagered during Drake and Ross’s livestreamed gambling sessions were provided to them directly by Stake, rather than representing the pair’s own funds, a claim both Stake and Ross have denied. Drake has not publicly responded to the allegations, and the legal proceedings remain ongoing.
As Drake prepares for his next Kick appearance, the broadcast is expected to draw significant attention both for its entertainment value and for the continuing scrutiny surrounding his high-profile gambling partnership.
About the Author
